Chapter 72

"Uncle!!"

Prince Kanon's unusually age-appropriate voice echoed through the hall.

Seeing Prince Kanon run without a cane or any support, Prince Rolf, the king's younger brother, opened his eyes wide and embraced the prince who had run into his chest.

"Kanon…!!"

Unable to contain himself, he knelt down and repeatedly compared Prince Kanon's face and legs.

"Can you run? Really, you're really cured…!"

"Yes, Uncle! Adam and Lady Shina cured me! And, I've been using Lord Sand's medicinal baths! And, and… everyone else has been taking good care of me too!"

Seeing Prince Kanon, who was beaming at me, I waved my hand slightly. So cute!

"Is that so…, yeah, they've been taking good care of you. And, Kanon, you have more muscles in your legs than before. You've been training, haven't you? You're doing great!"

Prince Kanon laughed, tickled by the pat on his head.

"My legs work! I want to walk, I want to run! It's so much fun!"

Yeah, yeah. Prince Kanon, you've been working hard on your rehabilitation. Adam is chasing you around, saying "Please take a break, pleaseee," while panting. An out-of-shape adult can't keep up with a child's endless energy and often collapses halfway. But, Adam has gained weight since coming to Marita Kingdom, so it might be just right. I think it's because he's eating too much rice.

"Heh, is that so. It's so much fun, huh…"

Prince Rolf looked at Prince Kanon with a loving gaze. His affection for his nephew was overflowing.

"Kanon, I'm looking forward to you succeeding your brother and becoming king. Don't worry. I'll take care of anyone who talks nonsense about your throne or tries to make me a puppet."

Wow. A sly smile. That's a dangerous conversation to overhear. And the cute Prince Kanon, though only 8 years old, is a royal. He nodded with a smile, saying, "Yes, Uncle! I'll leave it to you." Oh, is he showing a hint of deviousness even at 8? The contrast with his cuteness makes my heart flutter.

Prince Rolf, the current king of Naris's younger brother, came to Marita Kingdom as the escort for Prince Kanon's return.

Originally, they were supposed to meet near the border like when Prince Said was welcomed by Jin, but Prince Kanon, who had been working too hard on his recovery, fell ill. Doctor Sand said his physical condition wasn't ready for the journey, and the doctor's advice was to stop. Prince Rolf, who had already set out from Naris, changed his plans and led his troops to Marita Kingdom to welcome Prince Kanon.

Prince Kanon's condition had improved, but as a precaution, they decided to extend their stay by 7 more days. Prince Rolf would also stay in Marita Kingdom during this period.

Prince Rolf has a natural charm that draws people's attention. He has short black hair, tanned skin, and beautiful almond-shaped green eyes. He wears his knight's uniform sharply, but there's a wild, mature allure about him. According to the maids, he's a capable but playful man, a different type from the princes of Marita Kingdom.

"Shina-chan"

An unhappy voice came from above my head. Looking up, I saw Jin with a puffed-up face.

"Do you like that kind of guy?"

Perhaps he was upset that I was staring at Prince Rolf, Jin was trembling like a puppy and asked in a small voice. He didn't pick me up as usual, probably because it was a formal occasion with a foreign dignitary. He was making suspicious movements, clenching and unclenching his hands. He was trying to hold back.

"He's cool. He has a mature charm."

Hearing my honest opinion, Jin's eyebrows drooped. His eyes were teary. Don't cry over this.

"Jin's formal attire is also cool. He has a mature charm."

Today, Jin was in his knight's uniform, with his hair slicked back, looking very handsome.

He looked 30% or even 50% better. The uniform magic works even in another world.

"Hmm, hmm, s-so is that so?"

Jin's face turned red, and he melted. No, that's a point deduction. Stay sharp.

"Your Majesty, I thank you on behalf of the King of Naris for your kindness to Kanon."

Prince Rolf placed his hand on his chest and bowed to the king.

"Prince Rolf, I thank you for the generous hospitality during Prince Said's stay."

After the formal greeting, the strict face of King Marita softened, and he patted Prince Rolf's shoulder and laughed.

"Let's stop the formalities. Rolf, it's good to see you. Why don't you relax as usual?"

"Well, I am a representative of Naris, so I should show some seriousness. Your Majesty, please bear with me a little longer."

"No, I know you from when you were a troublemaker. Remember when you were called 'Brother Low' in the lower town and led a group of younger boys, or when you started a conflict with the town leaders?"

"…Please spare me, Your Majesty. How many times do you plan to bring that up…"

Prince Rolf smiled bitterly. It must have been like an old yakuza movie. Is it okay to treat conflicts as mere mischief? However, to expose someone's black history just a few minutes after meeting them as a state guest is quite something. Is this how the king always handles diplomacy? It's too much.

"Hey, Shina-chan, come here."

Called by the king with a sly smile, I really didn't want to go. Who wants to go to those two? But, since I was called, I couldn't ignore it, so I went with Jin.

"Rolf, this is our Shina-chan."

"Hello, I'm Shina."

I was taken aback by the king's casual introduction but bowed to Prince Rolf. As I got closer, I could see he was quite large, like Jin. Prince Rolf looked at me as if he was sizing me up. He seemed like a wild animal with strong caution. Is he the type who doesn't let his guard down with strangers?

However, Prince Rolf's cautious expression lasted only a moment. He hid his caution and smiled with a mature air, taking my hand politely. He looked me straight in the eye, and his lips almost touched my hand in a formal greeting.

"Nice to meet you, Shina. I am deeply grateful for curing Kanon."

His handsome face and deep baritone voice, along with a pleasant scent, made him look very cool. Up close, his face was flawless. Amazing!

"Too close. Don't look, Shina-chan."

As I was captivated, Jin picked me up from behind, looking extremely unhappy. He even covered my eyes with his hand.

"Prince Rolf, you're too close to my fiancée."

I rarely hear Jin's cold voice, and it made my spine shiver. Yeah. This is the Jin who was angry at the young ladies who tried to flirt with me in Kyrat. He's really mad. Why?

"Hmm, you're even more doting than I heard. That, Jinklett, you know."

Prince Rolf's mocking tone made Jin's mood plummet. I can feel the condescension in his tone.

According to the information I got from Barry, Prince Rolf and the four brothers of Marita Kingdom have known each other since childhood. I heard they were good friends…

But the current Jin looks like a lion with its fur standing on end, growling at Prince Rolf. What's going on? They were supposed to be good friends. Why is he angry just because I received a greeting?

"Shina-chan, he's a bad adult. You must never meet him alone. Even if he offers you candy, don't accept it. He might take you somewhere far away."

Jin, what age do you think I am? You wouldn't say that to Prince Kanon (8 years old), right? And calling him a bad adult… saying that in front of him is quite something.

"Ha ha ha"

I couldn't see Prince Rolf's face because Jin's hand was covering my eyes, but I could hear his chuckling. I felt incredibly embarrassed, even though I hadn't done anything wrong. What is this humiliation?

"Jin, put me down. Take your hand away. I can't see anything."

I hit Jin's hand in exasperation, and he reluctantly put me down. When I glared at him, he looked like a lost lion. Why does he look like a victim?

I could see the soldiers standing behind Prince Rolf, including those from Marita Kingdom, with expressions of shock. The human side of the cool guy Jin, known as the "monster lover" and "ice prince," was something new to them. I could hear whispers like, "Does he have interests other than monsters?" "Did he just say fiancée?" "That child is his fiancée? Prince Jinklett has a thing for young girls…" I can hear you. Calling me a young girl is rude. I look like a teenager, and I'm an adult.

The Marita Royal Family looked exasperated at Jin's behavior. The whispers I overheard, like "He's too tense" and "Pathetic," were understandable. I could also hear Barry's voice saying "I want to punch him" mixed in, but maybe it was just my imagination.

"Jinklett, you've heard from the king, right? I have no objections to the proposal from Marita Kingdom. I hope we can get to know each other well during this stay."

Prince Rolf, who was trying to calm Jin, had a playful look on his face.

"Shina, it's a short stay, but I hope we can get along well."

"Huh…?"

The increasingly agitated Jin and the completely relaxed Prince Rolf. I don't understand what they mean by "getting along well," but this feels like it's going to be troublesome.